f his country four months
had passed and Billy still held his job. But each month the number
of francs he was able to wrest from President Hamilcar dwindled,
and were won only after verbal conflicts that each month increased
in violence.

To the foreign colony it became evident that, in the side of
President Ham, Billy was a thorn, sharp, irritating, virulent, and
that at any moment Ham might pluck that thorn and Billy would leave
Hayti in haste, and probably in hand- cuffs. This was evident to
Billy, also, and the prospect was most disquieting. Not because he
loved Hayti, but because since he went to lodge at the cafe of the
Widow Ducrot, he had learned to love her daughter Claire, and
Claire loved him.

On the two thousand dollars due him from Ham they plotted to marry.
This was not as great an adventure as it might appear. Billy knew
that from the Wilmot people he always was sure of a salary, and one
which, with such an excellent housekeeper as was Claire, would
support them both. But with his two thou